Nestled beside the Patuxent River, a revival is happening at a family farm steeped in history. Reflecting on it's past, while planning for the future, Dixon Family Farm of Mechanicsville, Maryland is ready to shine once again.
The original land grant consisted of 2,000 acres from Lord Baltimore in 1651. A historic, 17th century manor greets you from the driveway, known as Susannah's Watch. The family home, turned bed and breakfast, is now run by care-takers Jeff and Claudinne Miller.
Jeff's mother was a Dixon, and the farm has been in the family for generations. Susannah's Watch is named after Susannah Lowe, the granddaughter of Richard Bennett I, the colonial Governor of Virginia.
When the opportunity arose to buy the land and original home, Jeff and Claudinne took action. The irony was they never farmed before, and they were living in Germany at the time.
We didn't want the farm to fall into the hands of a developer. We had no idea how to farm. I was googling, 'how to be a farmer' on the way home.
- Claudinne Miller
With pure ambition and a lot of heart, Jeff and Claudinne have turned the family homestead around. It was showing some wear, so they tackled the manor first. It's now listed on Airbnb and is an award winning bed and breakfast.
This past year, they committed their time to the land, while both working full-time jobs.
This year has been the year of learning.
- Jeff Miller
From the installation of a vineyard, to one thousand lavender plants perfectly lined in rows, the Miller's have been steadily at work on their sixty five acre homestead. They've updated the former antique shop on the property into a pristine carriage house to host weddings and special events. They even added bees to the mix in hopes to produce their own honey.
And they're just getting started. Claudinne and Jeff have implemented all these elements in under two years. From scratch. Without any background in agriculture.
Claudinne has really taken to growing flowers, and makes bouquets to sell around town. They plant everything themselves, and have plans to expand.
Zinnias, peonies, sunflowers, wildflowers and more will be sprouting up next year. Claudinne tinkers and experiments in her greenhouse, while Jeff works from the tractor. They even have a worm farm housed in the old tobacco barn.
It's kind of an obsession now.
- Claudinne Miller
Livestock will be added soon, with the hopes of creating an additional spot for weddings, and a cabin set in a more remote location of their land. With the support of family, who happen to be fellow neighbors and farmers, the Millers are all in.
Every inch of the Dixon Family Farm serves a purpose. Every room in Susannah's Watch Bed and Breakfast tells a story, down to the banister rails. My daughter and I were in awe as we toured the property and manor. The setting is breathtaking, the manor is warm and welcoming, and the care-takers are full of passion.
We keep thinking, 'What would grandpa do?'
- Claudinne Miller
To learn more about the Dixon Family Farm and Susannah's Watch Bed and Breakfast, visit their website at www.susannahswatch.com or Instagram at www.instagram.com/susannahs_watch
Comentarios